What is a hysterectomy?

Have you ever wondered if you will need a hysterectomy one
day?Have you wondered what it is, or
what side-effects you may experience if you have one?

A hysterectomy is a very common surgery for women, and is
the removal of the uterus, making you unable to become pregnant.Other organs or tissue may also be removed,
such as your ovaries and/or fallopian tubes depending on your particular
case.Ovaries and/or fallopian tubes are
often removed if there is a risk of cancer, or abnormalities are detected.

A hysterectomy is performed to treat several health
conditions, such as uterine fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic support problems,
abnormal bleeding, chronic pelvic pain, and several gynecologic cancers.

A hysterectomy can be performed with three different
surgical options, which your doctor will decide based on your health history,
and the reasons you are having the procedure done.In a vaginal hysterectomy, the uterus is
removed through the vagina, and there is no abdominal incision.Recovery time is usually fastest, and the
risk of complications is generally lowest for this type of surgery.A laparoscopic hysterectomy requires a few
small incisions in your abdomen, and the uterus is removed in small pieces or
through the vagina.An abdominal hysterectomy
is the removal of the uterus through an incision in the lower abdomen, and is
often done if adhesions are present, or the patient has a large uterus.The risk of complications is greater, and the
recovery and hospital stay are typically longer than the other two surgical
options.

Hysterectomies are generally considered safe,
and are very common, but every surgery comes with risks and possible side
effects.The practitioners at Great
Plains Women’s Health can provide guidance and assistance with the decision to
have a hysterectomy, as well as perform the surgery and care afterward.